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8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
1/11
A Rumble of
Discontent
story and
coloring book
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
2/11
Rumble, rumble, mumble,
grumble!
Dump Truck ground to a halt in
front of Mr. Excavator with his
back turned towards him. There
was a dumpy, grumpy look on
his face.
Mr. Excavators long arm reached
down and scooped up a big
handful of rubble, dust, rocks and
soil. He lifted it high in the air and
brought it back down, pouring it
onto the open truck bed on
Dumpys back, who then
grumbled and slowly rumbled off
with his load.
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
3/11
Now Mr. Oversite, the foreman of CREW and Co. had been concerned that the project was
not going as efficiently and smoothly as he would have liked. He was observing this little
scenario from his office over at the side of the big construction site. He had noticed that for
some time Dumpy had been dragging his wheels and was not inspired in his work.
So Mr. Oversite walked over and called Mr. Dump Truckaside. Is something the matter,
Dumpy? he asked.Why are you always so sad and grumpy?
Well, mumbled Dump Truck. I always have to take Mr. Excavators heavy loads on my
back and carry them off to go and dump
them, day in and day out. Its getting mighty
heavy and boring. I get no recognition for it,
and, I might addno appreciation. But seehow everybody looks up to Mr. Excavator.
The little kids come by and
always ooh and aah over him,
but they never noticeme.
They never say a word
about me.
Oh, my, said Mr. Oversite.
Im going to have to think
about this.
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
4/11
The foreman then walked over to the other
side of the enormous construction site. There
was so much work going on: pushing, lifting,
crushing, filling, digging, scooping, scraping
and clearing huge amounts of earth and
mud and sand and rocks and dirt and
gravel and concrete, all in
preparing the land for the
building of Costa Del Sol,
a beautiful hotel resort.
But amid all the
noise and busy
hubbub, Mr.
Oversite couldnt help but notice a rumble of
discontent.
Then he saw Mr. Cranky Crane working very
slowly with a rather sour expression on his
face. He was lifting a wall off of astack that Miss Lorry Loader had
delivered, and swinging it into place.
This time, it was Mr. Cranky Crane
who was very sad, while Miss Lorry
Loader was very happy.
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
5/11
While Lorry was off collecting
another load, Mr. Oversite
took the opportunity to ask Mr.
Cranky Crane what he was so
sad about.
Bah! Cranky fumed. Its
fine for little Miss Lorry
Loader! She gets to go here
and there visiting all the
factories, while I just stay in
this one place working myhoist off. Its like shes on a
permanent vacation, humming
as she goes, not noticing the
work I have to do. Let me tell
you, its hard work! My work
never stops. By the time I havea chance to rest my arm, she is
back with another stack of
windows or walls.
Hmmm, said the foreman
thoughtfully. Ill have to think
about this. And he walked off.
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
6/11
Then he noticed powerful Mr. Bulldozer. He seemed a little out of sorts too.
Hi, old caterpillar tracks! How is it going?
Oh, okay. I am just getting a bit tired of always pushing. Im not even the biggest on the
block, Mr. Oversite. Mr. Scraper is bigger than me, but I even have to push him! But you know
what? Its not that I mind the pushing job so much; I just dont get any thanks or appreciation.
They grumble about me pushing them, but if
Im not there to help move them along as
quickly as they would like, they
grumble about that too!
Mr. Oversite thankedBulldozer for his
time. Hmmm, I
guess Ill have to think
about this, he said to
himself. Then he
continued on way,still concerned about
the ever-present
rumble under his
feet.
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
7/11
Presently he came across little Digger who
was all alone, digging away with a bucket on
the end of his arm, making another ditch for
the rainwater to drain into. He was whistling
happily to himself, but he seemed a little
lonely among the mounds of sand and soil.There were no trucks, scrapers or bulldozers
around to help him or
keep him company.
Hello there, Digger. You seem happy today!
Oh yes, Im happy!
Dont you feel a little lonely sometimes
though, working all by yourself?
Yes sir, Mr. Oversite, sometimes I do get a
little lonely because I dont get to work with
the big trucks. But right now, said Digger
with a big smile on his face, as he thrust his
bucket into the earth, I am happy just
digging these moats and buildingsandcastles.
Sandcastles? I dont seeoh yes Mr.
Oversite looked at the mounds of discarded
sand. Theyre nice sandcastles! But did
you know, Digger, you are helping to
build a real castle. Without these ditchesfor the rain to run into, the buildings
would be all flooded.
Mr. Oversite said goodbye to Digger and
continued thoughtfully on his way. Im
going to have to thinkaboutthats it!
he exclaimed. What a good idea!
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
8/11
Attention all construction equipment,
Loudspeaker called from his lofty position
on the roof of the foremans office. There
will be a meeting at the foundation at seven
oclock this evening after work. Mr.
Oversite has requested your presence. Please
be on time. And dont worry, added
Loudspeaker, youre not in trouble.
Although some were a little worried about
what the meeting was going to be about,
there was an air of anticipation andexcitement as all the construction machines
rumbled onto the foundation.
Miss Lorry Loader arrived promptly on
time, followed by little Digger who was
beaming with happiness at beingaccompanied by Mr. Excavator. Mr. Cranky
Crane and Dumpy Dump Truck grumbled
and rumbled up behind, reluctantly dragging
their wheels. Lastly, in rolled a gleaming Mr.
Scraper, who was being pushed along by the
tired and distraught Mr. Bulldozer.
Ahem, Mr. Oversite cleared his throat, as
he began to address the gathering. I am so
glad you all could come. I promise that this
will be brief, as I know youve all had a very
long and tiring day. I want to stress that I am
very, very pleased with the work you all do.
This project could not be completed without
your help. However, as I walked around the
site today, I couldnt help but notice a
rumble of discontent!
A gasp came from the listeners.
I can hear it! said one.
I can feel it under my treads! said another.
And, Mr. Oversite lowered his voice to
almost a whisper, you all know what
serious consequences could result if it
should continue.
Of course, Mr. Scraper said knowingly.
The vibrations in the ground could result in
huge amounts of earth being dislodged,
ruining a lot of my efforts.
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
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That would severely increase my workload too, having to move it, said Dumpy Dump
Truck. IfI think I have it hard now, that would be really tough. The project would take
forever to get done.
Not to mention all the walls and windows I have so carefully put inplace, said Mr. Cranky
Crane. Theyd all come tumbling down.
Imagine the danger that would be to all ofus! said Miss Lorry Loader.
Take a few moments, if youplease, said Mr. Oversite, to think of what each of you can do
personally to stop this rumble
that is slowing down the
work and is about to causeeven greater damage.
There was a hushed silence
over all the construction
machines. Each of them
stopped to think about theirattitude of late, and imagined
how difficult their work
would be if the disasters that
Mr. Oversite had warned them
about should come to pass.
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
10/11
Im sorry if Ive made you feel sad with my
grumbling, whispered Dumpy to Mr.
Excavator. Will you forgive me?
Of course, Dumpy. I dont think Id have the
strength to go back and forth carrying thoseheavy loads like you do all day.
Mr. Cranky Crane put his long arm around
Miss Lorry Loader. Sorry about being such a
pain to workwith.
Thats okay, Crank. I just want you to knowI really admire you and how you stick to your
ob. I think Id go crazy standing in one spot
like you do all day.
Thanks, Dozer, for being such apusher,
said Scraper. We all couldnt do our jobs
without you. Sorry for my griping!
Dont mention it, Scraper, said Dozer.
The sun had set and floodlights lit up thehappy scene at the construction site as
everyone apologized and laughed and chatted
with each other. Suddenly one of them
shouted out: The rumble! Listen!The
rumble of discontent is gone!
Yes, said another. I dont feel it any more
either. The ground is still!
8/3/2019 A Rumble of Discontent
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Mr. Oversite heaved a sigh of relief as a cheer arose from the crowd. Then he called for a
celebration that lasted into the early morning hours, which included all the machines getting
tanked up with an extra special ration of diesel.
That brings us to the
end of our little story,
but the CREW
construction site from
that night on was a
different one.
Everyone was happy
in their work and the
project was completed
ahead of schedule,
much to the delight of
Mr. Oversite and all
the constructionvehicles.
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